Verizon grants will help support LGBT youth in Washington, DC

LGBT youth in the Washington DC area will have increased access to vital support services thanks to recent grants from Verizon.

Two grants totaling $45,000 were presented at a ceremony attended by Washington, DC mayor Muriel Bowser and other administration and community leaders.

Mario Acosta-Velez, Director of state government affairs in DC and National President of GLOBE (Verizon’s LGBT employee resource group), presented a $25,000 grant to Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL) and a $20,000 grant to Wanda Alston House. The SMYAL grant will support that organization’s programs for LGBT youth, including its healthy relationships, peer education and therapy programs. The Wanda Alston House grant will help provide case management services for LGBT homeless youth, including access to medical and mental health services, domestic violence support, and services to help eliminate homeless situations.